Marking a historic moment in Australian television, University of Sydney Primary Education student Olivia Coe Fox has become the first person to sing in an Aboriginal language on TV series The Voice Australia.

Singing in Yawuru language, Ms Fox's cover of 'I Am, You Are, We Are Australian' was accompanied by didgeridoo and widely praised as an emotional and culturally significant moment.

Viewers of the show reached out to the singer following her performance, with some sharing it was the first time they had heard an Aboriginal language or seen a didgeridoo featured on a mainstream stage.

A proud Wiradjuri woman, Ms Fox is studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at the University of Sydney. Despite her talent for performing, she always knew she wanted to become a teacher, following an example set by her mother who works as an Aboriginal Education Officer.

During high school Ms Fox was mentored by University of Sydney students working with AIME – the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience – founded in 2005 by then University of Sydney student, Jack Manning-Bancroft.

Student mentors introduced Ms Fox to the Gadigal Program, an admission pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to the University of Sydney which supports eligible students with early conditional offers to study.

Receiving this offer was a "weight off" for Fox who felt it reaffirmed her decision to pursue teaching over a potential career in music.

Blending her passion with her future career, Ms Fox works as an Aboriginal Education Officer at a primary school in Sydney's West while she completes her degree, where she teaches songs in language and leads cultural groups.

Her goal is to become a classroom teacher who brings music, language and pride into the lives of her students.

"I want to be that teacher that kids go, 'Yes, I want to be like her,'" she said.

"My mother always said to me, 'You can't be what you can't see'. I knew I could become a teacher because I had her paving the way and being that physical model for kids is so important, especially our First Nations students."

University of Sydney Deputy vice-chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services) Reuben Bolt congratulated Ms Fox on her performance and the response she received, saying it highlights the role of education in preserving and sharing Aboriginal culture.

"Olivia's story is a powerful example of how cultural knowledge and academic ambition can come together to inspire future generations," he said.

"Her work in the classroom and on the national stage demonstrates how language revitalisation supports identity, belonging and pride among Australians, bridging generational and cultural divides."

Ms Fox's decision to sing in Yawuru language – an endangered Western Australian language spoken by the traditional custodians of Broome —was made with permission and guidance from community Elders.

She has now learned to sing in more than 16 Aboriginal languages and is passionate about teaching language ethically and respectfully.

"I've grown up in culture and never felt ashamed of who I am," she said.

"Singing in language is something so rare, especially nowadays. The fact that I'm doing our Elders proud makes me proud. Even if people don't understand the language, they feel it.

"My grandfather's first language was Wiradjuri and growing up he was forbidden to speak it. Now I learn it from my Aunty, and get to share and teach his language through connection and song."

With performing commitments, work and studies to balance, Ms Fox said the University's Gadigal Centre helped her feel at home when she first started, and provided practical support throughout her studies.

Also assisting with the transition to university was her first ever lecturer, Tarunna Sebastian, who teaches first year education students.

"Tarunna took me under her wing, helped me apply for scholarships and just made uni feel right for me – I had these expectations for what uni teachers would be like, and she was just so lovely and approachable," Ms Fox said.

As she continues her studies, Ms Fox is looking forward to exciting opportunities which have arisen from her time on The Voice Australia but remains focused on becoming a teacher who empowers students through music, language and cultural pride.

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